Hey, hey, hey!!! If you follow along on Instagram, you may have seen how busy I’ve been transforming our utility room, turned workshop, into what is now a full walk-in pantry! I’m so excited because I’ve wanted a walk-in pantry FOR-EVER!!!! I think they’re so charming, and add so much functional storage to a home. I’ve had a vision in my mind for this space since we opened up the doorway from the mudroom to the kitchen. And now, it’s finally a reality! I still have just a few more tweaks,(that little closet still needs an overhaul), but I’ll be back later in the week with an overview of what we’ve done in here, and then a full reveal.
Pantry Organization
However, today I’m sharing how I organized this space with some of my favorite, affordable organizational items from Better Homes & Gardens. This month, Better Homes & Gardens asked us to share some items from their product line that bring us joy—and honestly, there are too many to count, I’m such a fan of their products for their quality and functionality, not to mention how affordable everything is! But—-nothing brings me joy, like an organized space! In fact, exactly a year ago, I transformed a small coat closet into an “appliance pantry” of sorts using Better Homes & Gardens items, but now, having much more space to work with, I was able to invest in a few more key pieces to give our new “butler’s” pantry ultimate organization.
Okay, enough yapping let’s check out some of my storage solutions:
Let’s begin with the drawers:
Previously these drawers were all used as junk drawers, just no organization whatsoever. Now, they are literally a dream. There’s a place for everything and everything has a place.
In the first two top drawers, I used 2 each of the bamboo drawer organizers, they fit perfectly side-by-side in my 18″ drawers.
In the first drawer we keep snack bars, and popcorn (conveniently under the microwave ;).
And in the second drawer, we store our teas. We love having our teas displayed this way, it’s aesthetically pleasing and it forces us to want to keep them nice and neat.
In the second drawer, I didn’t use any organizers, but I did use my metal drink tub which fit perfectly inside to hold my cloth napkins and placemats. Next to the bin, I tucked my table runners in the drawer, leaving me just enough space for my Better Home & Gardens tapered candles.
In the bottom drawer, I stored our water bottles and jugs, along with this basket organizer filled with our vitamins and medicines.
In the middle cabinets, I keep my baking dishes, baking pans and cookie sheets.
In the last bank of drawers, I use the top drawer as a catch all, every kitchen needs one, right? And the middle drawer holds my small tools. I use the bottom for the cats. In there you can find their medical papers, brushes, toys, snacks, and of course, food. Sweetie runs in here every time someone walks by, in hopes that she can snag a few treats. She’s the cutest!
I decided to ditch the cat food bags in favor of a flip-tite container to keep it fresher longer, and a cute glass jar to store their treats for less clutter.
Just outside of the pantry, I organized another bank of drawers using these expandable bamboo drawer organizers. These work wonders for maximizing the organization in a wide drawer.
And can we just talk about how they help contain the lids!? Ugh, lids are always the bain of my existence, but now, everything is nice and neat.
Back to the pantry. Let’s talk cabinets!
On the top right cabinet, I managed to still keep a bit of my workshop stuff in here. I used a small metal stacking basket to store, and have easy access to a few art supplies, and then I ordered these hyacinth baskets which fit perfectly in here, to house my jar candles in one basket, old magazines in another, and on the shelf, I keep extra spice jars and labels.
On the counter, I have my cookbooks, and a bowl or in my case a planter filled with fresh fruit. This planter and its larger version is my absolute favorite planter. I have about 4 of them in my home, 2 of which I use as actual planters and 2 as fruit bowls. I just love the shape, texture and style of this planter and at about $10 you can beat the price, it looks so high end!
In the cabinets to the left, I store my extra plates, pitchers, outdoor dinnerware, and platters. This past winter, I ordered a few of the 6 piece acacia wood grazing boards with square porcelain plates, and it’s one of my favorite items when entertaining. The board isn’t too bulky as some boards tend to be, and it comes with the perfect sized appetizer plates— just right for small apps. I love how versatile it is, the plates and tray can be used together or individually.
On the opposite side (the new addition to this space), I created a little coffee bar area. The coffee maker will eventually go where the plant is, but I need to get my electrician over to add an outlet :).
On the shelf, I used more of the glass jars as they’re great for storing smaller loose items like my pyramid tea bags, powdered creamer, and chocolate chips, (for fancy coffees, or hot chocolates, of course). In the cabinets we have our coffee pods and loose tea bags stored in jars, and extra mugs within reach.
On the top shelf, I decided to store my less-used dry goods in the flip-tite containers, to clear up some space in the kitchen for everyday use. I ordered 2-4-packs of containers, and each of them hold 11.5 cups, its so much more visually pleasing than seeing cardboard packaging.
In the bottom cabinets, I used more of the metal stacking baskets to store extra paper towels, beverages, and then onions on the lower shelf, I think I may add a smaller one for potatoes too!
Lastly, I utilized the narrow shelves next to the cabinets to store my 5-in-1 cake stand, And then on the second shelf I have additional storage space in a collapsible basket, and then the third shelf currently holds the coffee maker for now. In the space on the bottom, I had just enough room to store a touch-less garbage can to hold our recycling. The addition of a dedicated recycling bin is life changing-coming from a household whose previous recycling lived in a large bag hanging on a door knob 😆
Let’s chat about vertical storage:
I’m obsessed with this metal rail, I’ve had it in this space for over a year now, and I’ve used it in a couple others areas of my home. It’s really durable and is just so handy to have things so easily accessible. I usually like to keep a pair of scissors, a watering can or mister, a hand towel available (now that this is an extension of our kitchen), and it worked out perfectly to hang this oversized serving tray , which would otherwise be tough to store.
On the other side of the cabinet wall that we built, we created a cute little coat niche, where the doorway previously was. I’ve also used these black hooks before. I love them because they’re sleek and modern and are a good size to use as a robe hook in a bathroom, or combined with multiple for a mudroom. I added a little shelf for styling opportunities, as well as functionality. In the summer we’ll keep sun hats and sunblock in th basket, and in the winter we’ll swap them out for winter hats and gloves. I also placed a pretty planter and this super cute hello/goodbye sign, which I thought was fitting in a mudroom.
And that’s it for now, folks! Next I’ll be tackling the small closet in this space to create a space for our small appliances, so I’ll be back then for a full reveal!
